Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As one of the MLAs from the Beaufort Delta that is present here today on our last sitting day and is able to ask questions to the Minister in this House, I will continue my questions to the Minister of Infrastructure as this project is one of the most important infrastructure projects that's happening in our regions.
Can the Minister update this House on the decision her department has with regard to the Inuvik Airport Runway Extension Project and if the time sensitive part of the project will occur this year as this employs a local contractor and this Cabinet has said that it supports economic recovery for our northern contractors. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There was a trilateral meeting that was held yesterday with department and National Defence, the GNWT, as well as representatives from the joint venture that will be doing work on the Inuvik runway extension.
The meeting confirmed several things for us and also highlighted the need for the GNWT and the joint venture to be able to work collaboratively and come up with a path forward. That's where we're at with the project right now, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So my question is this timesensitive work that needs to be done this spring, will the Minister provide me with an answer that this work will be issued, like approved, so that we can get the lift done?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the meeting, the meeting confirmed that the Department of Defence expects there to be due diligence applied to the project, and that's important for the bid and scope of the work to match available funding. So we know that it is time sensitive but it is a fiveyear project, Mr. Speaker, so there are four phases, and we are four work packages. So we are currently on schedule with some of the work that's proceeding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that this is a fiveyear project, but this is a timesensitive section that needs to be done so that other layers can be put on later on. What is holding up this section of the project to put the lift down so that we're protecting the permafrost? Why can't we go ahead with this?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's funding that's holding this project down. You've seen in Cabin Radio that, you know, they had an article on the overcosts of this project. The department the GNWT is working closely with Canada to be able to secure that funding. So that's what's slowing the process down. We are continuously having conversations, almost on a daily basis, with Canada and the joint venture to be able to look at ways to proceed with this project on budget on time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister is will she direct her department to complete this vital part of the project? This is going to provide local contractors with work. Right now, the only work that's in the region has been given to Alberta residents. So I'm just wondering if this Minister is going to support our local contractors as the Minister of Infrastructure. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to make it clear: This Minister wants the project to go forward. It is a benefit to the community that I represent. I also said that the project needs to be done right, on time and on budget. Rushing major work without appropriate site preparation or plans or due diligence being applied is a recipe for disaster. I also want to make it clear that the GNWT does not have the funding to pay for any cost overruns. So we need to make sure that we do this right first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.
